Mock draft leaves questions about the future of Geno Smith and the Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are in need of a quarterback, and instead of bringing Geno Smith back, the organization may opt to draft a young signal-caller.
Pete Carroll, the Seattle Seahawks' long-time head coach, made it clear that the franchise may have a wandering eye at the quarterback position.
Smith, due for a raise, led Seattle to the playoffs in the 2022 NFL season. However, with the Seahawks possessing the No. 5 pick, Carroll didn't rule out drafting a young high-potential signal caller. He went as far as stating that not looking to select a quarterback would be ridiculous because the Seahawks now possess a "rare opportunity."
"The position we're in, we are totally connected to the quarterbacks that are coming out," Carroll said. "This is a really huge opportunity for us. It's a rare opportunity."
With Carroll's stance regarding the quarterback position, it is no surprise that a mere few hours before Seattle's coach took the podium, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. released an updated mock draft, where he has the Seahawks selecting Anthony Richardson in the first round.
Within the mock draft, Kiper has Seattle trading away the No. 5 pick in exchange for the Carolina Panthers' No. 9 selection slot. He then forecasts that the Panthers will select Kentucky quarterback Will Levis while Richardson slips to the Seahawks at No. 9.
Drafting Richardson indicates that the Seahawks are moving away from Smith, regardless of what happens with his contract. The selection would also be the Seahawks' first legitimate quarterback selection since drafting the former face of the franchise Russell Wilson.
"We've been drafting in the low 20s for such a long time you just don't get the chance (at) these guys," Carroll said. "So we're deeply involved with them."
But it remains to be seen that Richardson is anything more than mere potential. For all the athleticism and raw arm talent, he wasn't very good at Florida.
Yes, he didn't have an elite offensive line. And NFL teams tend to get enamored with physical traits like height and arm strength. But Richardson only completed 53 percent of his passes in the 2022 season — down from the year prior. His quarterback rating also dropped between both seasons: 144.1 to 131.0.
Also, Richardson didn't win at Florida. In most must-win games, Richardson often came out on the losing end. And during those contests, he looked extremely unpolished.
Still, ESPN is producing takes like this:
Seattle sending Smith packing while hitching its wagon to Richardson would be franchise malpractice. Just because the Seahawks possess a top pick does not mean they must use it on a quarterback, especially if that quarterback doesn't promise to be a franchise-shifting prospect.
Carroll may call Seattle's situation rare. And it is. How often does a team make the playoffs and possess a top-five pick? But just because a circumstance is rare doesn't mean the choices available are better than what is in-house.
Seattle's quarterback answer is someone it already has: Geno. Chasing Richardson is a fool's errand.
Feature image viaJoe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports.
